Catherine Brinkley Hollowell, 81, of Suffolk, passed away at home on March 26, 2015. She was born in Nansemond County to the late Floyd J. Brinkley, Sr. and Susie Baines Brinkley. She was also predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Ralph K. Hollowell Jr.

Catherine retired after many years working as the secretary to the president of Lipton Tea. She was a long-time member of First Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school in the children’s department and was a member of the Friendship Class and the Teller Committee.

Catherine is survived by her daughter, Karen Hollowell Gaduyon of Bath County; grandson, Noah Gaduyon; sister, Dorothy B. Lassiter, and her husband, James, of Florence, S.C.; brother, F.J. Brinkley Jr., and his wife, Betty, of Suffolk; brother-in-law, Stuart Hollowell, and his wife, Velma, of Panama City, Fla.; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A funeral will be held Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Parr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3515 Robs Dr. Suffolk, with Dr. Thurman Hayes Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 237 N. Main St., Suffolk, VA 23434. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com